Chosen, by Ted Dekker

Chosen is the first book in a series called "The Lost Books". Dekker wrote this series for younger readers although I enjoyed them myself. His writing continues to be excellent and takes you to this "other world" where teenagers go on a dangerous mission to recover the seven lost books. I highly recommend this book to any age reader and am looking forward to continuing the series.

Journey to the Bottomless Pit by Elizabeth Mitchell

If you toured Mammoth Cave in Kentucky around the year 1838, you would have been led by candlelight through miles of dark winding tunnels, to the edge of a terrifying bottomless pit, and curiously, a church built underground. Your tour guide would have been seventeen-year-old Stephen Bishop, an African American, and a slave. Bishop had a job he found truly thrilling--exploring and recording every inch of his exciting adventures at Mammoth Cave and escorting tourists to show them his discoveries.

Her Mother's Hope by Francine Rivers

Considering Francine Rivers is one of my favorite authors I had high expectations for this book and I certainly was not disappointed. This book had me hooked from the very beginning and I completely enjoyed the character development. Marta's character is thoroughly developed I felt like was right there along with her. Once she started writing from the viewpoint of Hildemara it was so intriguing how perspectives are so important. What a great story about a Mother's love and a daughter's desire to know it. I loved this book and cannot wait to read the conclusion to the story in Her Daughter's Dream.

The Edge of Recall by Kristen Heitzmann

I read this book on an airplane and had it finished in 4 hours. It was a good read with just enough suspense and plot development. It seemed to drag out her reasons for all the nightmares but was still enjoyable.

Hannah Grace by Sharlene MacLaren

Hannah Grace is the first in a 3 book series each book about a different sister. This first book was an easy read with a sweet story. I thought it to be completely predictable but that's not always a bad thing. Its a sweet romance with a happy ending which leaves you feeling good.

A Year Down Yonder by Richard Peck

I thought I better read the Reading Olympics books for this year and being a middle school target, I didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I did.  I would recommend this for any age.  Good humor and antics, good character development, and I loved to see the change in the main character.  Definitely recommend even if you aren't in the Reading Olympics or middle school!

Vienna Prelude by Bodie Thoene

Not usually a type of book I read but I do love books about the Holocaust ... and I loved this one.  I can't wait to read the rest of the series as I've gotten totally caught up in the characters.  I want to see what else happens!

Romance, suspense, action are all included.  Highly recommend!

The Fruit of my Lipstick by Shelley Adina

Cover looks like bunch of rich girls who only care about how they look; start reading it and it is about a bunch of rich girls who only care about how they look.  But I vowed to stick with it and while the rich kids in a high school boarding school live a lifestyle that is not familiar to me, they face the same situations and get pulled into the same types of sin we do.

It's also interesting to learn how we judge people based on looks, just like I judged this book based on the cover.  In the end, I liked this book.  Not riveting but a good "beach read" while still conveying good morality.